Artemi Panarin pulled off a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Blues on Wednesday. After recording an assist in the first period and his first career fight in the third period, the winger scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat St. Louis.
Artemi Panarin with the OT winner right after his first NHL fight pic.twitter.com/1SKzzbMQg0
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 10, 2016
Panarin and Blues forward Scottie Upshall turned some chippy play into a full-on fight in the third. The two were going at it in the offensive zone while Chicago was on a power play, then Upshall finally went for the fight after Panarin laid a hit on him near the boards.
The result was two dudes grabbing and clutching and trying to punch each other:
Scottie Upshall and Artemi Panarin scrap because why the hell not? #stlblues #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/U0Q5iVq91u
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) November 10, 2016
This is the first time that Panarin has been in a fight during his NHL career, although it’s not the first time he’s gotten rough with an opponent. In March, he went after Minnesota’s Matt Dumba after the defenseman crushed Patrick Kane in the neutral zone.
Panarin didn’t waste any time going after Dumba that time, and he didn’t shy away from Upshall this time around, either. Even though the fighting doesn’t do much for me, Panarin’s willingness to throw hands when the situation arises is part of what makes him more than just a good scorer. Despite his size, he’s willing to get a little physical, too.
What a night.